GOLF ROUNDUP : Els Joins Elite Class with Victory, but Don’t Tell Him That

After adding a world title to his U.S. Open crown, Ernie Els cautioned those who would immediately include him among the royalty of golf.

A day before his 25th birthday, the South African beat Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, 4 and 2, in the final of the World Match Play Championship in Virginia Water, England. The victory Sunday gave Els the biggest golf paycheck in European history, $240,000--and earned him plaudits as a golfer pegged for superstardom for many years to come.

“It’s nice to hear those kind of remarks,” Els said. “But I don’t think you want to start believing in that stuff. I’ve got a long way to go.”

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Bob Estes, buoyed by a four-stroke lead entering the final round, shot a one-under 70 to win the Texas Open in San Antonio for the first victory of his seven-year career.

Estes won by one stroke with a 19-under 265.

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Beth Daniel, powered by four consecutive birdies to begin her back nine, shot a course record seven-under 65 to win the World Championship of Women’s Golf in Naples, Fla., by three strokes over Elaine Crosby.

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Bob Murphy tapped in a bogey putt to defeat Dave Eichelberger on the fifth playoff hole and win the $650,000 Raley’s Senior Gold Rush in Rancho Murieta.

Murphy and Eichelberger finished regulation at eight-under 208.